UPPER DUBLIN — The Upper Dublin Public Library has launched the start of a new fundraising initiative called UDPL — ReNEWed! to help cover the costs of modernizing the library.

The name comes from the practice of renewing books at the library as well as the idea of a renewed facility, something Cherilyn Fiory, library director, said the library needs.

Fiory said with the economy being what it is and the number of buildings being constructed around the library, the library was not in a position to construct a new building.

Construction costs are covered by the Upper Dublin Board of Commissioners but updates to the interior of the library, estimated at $100,000, are not covered, Fiory said. There are several priorities the ongoing renovations will address, including a larger room for teens who come to the library after school, a quiet room for reading, a community conference room doubled in size from what the library currently offers for meetings, a reorganized children’s room that provides an “educational play space for pre-readers,” and the “big piece” will be the new workspace for staff, which will consolidate much of the behind-the-scenes area by offering a new front service desk.

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Additionally, Fiory said visitors to the 20-year-old facility will find updates to many of its spaces. She plans to include new furniture and artwork along with other modern services, a self checkout and new computers.

The estimated total cost is $250,000 for all of the improvements to the library, with the goal being to raise $100,000.

Fiory said 50 percent of the costs have been paid for by the Friends of UDPL. However, $20,000 of that comes as a challenge grant, an amount the library can’t afford to lose.

She said the major construction will be finished Dec. 14, but visitors will have to wait a few months after that before the finishing touches are applied. The library is “still seeking contributions” she later added, noting since the library is a 501(c)3 organization, any donations would be tax deductible.

Those who do contribute will be recognized for their efforts. Currently the library is looking for sponsorships for the teen lounge, the reading lounge and the conference room, which cost $15,000, $10,000 and $10,000, respectively. A plaque will be placed prominently in the sponsored room acknowledging the donor.

Gifts are also available. Donors of $2,500 or higher will be acknowledged in the media, have a name placed prominently on a group plaque, businesses will get a certificate of participation and the donation will be recognized on the library’s website and in an electronic newsletter. Gifts of $500 to $2,499 will get recognition on the plaque, businesses will get a certificate of participation and the donation will go online and in the newsletter.

Gifts of under $500 will be recognized online and in the electronic newsletter.

The library will also be one of the recipients of donations made at Jack and Mike Yoast’s “Light Up a Life” holiday display (the other recipient will be Montgomery County SPCA), Fiory said. Held at the 1320 Butler Pike home of Jack Yoast, an owner of Acteon Networks, this is the fourth consecutive year that Acteon has sponsored the light show for the community. The home is located near the Temple Ambler Campus and across the road from Robbins Park. For more information about the holiday light display, visit holiday.acteon.net. The lights do not go on during inclement weather, so those interested in viewing the display should check the website before visiting.

Bob Stutz, chairman of the fundraising committee, called the fundraising goal “very feasible.” He said in addition to reaching out to businesses and politicians for help, the committee has also recently begun asking individual community members for help who have “respond positively.” They have also applied for grants and to foundations looking for any additional help they can get, despite the fact they take time to get and are “a lot of work.”

Fiory said the library has reached out to the retired senior volunteer program for a free expenditure consultant for assistance in finding ways to raise money, since this was the first time any of the committee had ever run a capital campaign.

Every dollar that is collected goes directly to the project, Stutz added, noting everyone on the committee is a volunteer and Fiory is an employee of the township, so there would be no one to pay. A number of companies offered to run the campaign for them, he said, but the committee decided to take on the responsibility itself.

Stutz said the library has had nearly 200,000 visitors this year and the number continues to grow. The role of the library is to change to meet the needs of its community, including its electronic needs. He said the library has seen a 5 percent increase in traffic, with many visitors going to the 680 programs that were offered last year.

Given the number of volunteers who are going out to collect money and do the administrative requirements of the campaign speaks to the importance of the library to the community for Fiory.